Even though not all forms of family violence carry a criminal sanction and penalty, all forms are often relevant to courts, for example, all forms are relevant when a court is making intervention orders or parenting orders.

Victims of family violence in the past have been stigmatised and the prevailing attitude of keeping the problem behind closed doors as a ‘private’ family matter only furthered victimisation and increased the vulnerability of victims. Legislation now emphasises family violence as a social problem affecting all members of society and attracting the full sanctions of criminal justice intervention.

However, it should be noted that legal remedies can sometimes be of limited use in a crisis. It is more often the practical steps and planning a person can take which will be of much greater significance for their safety than reliance on legal remedies alone.

Practical measures : Last Revised: Thu May 29th 2014The content of the Law
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